Gasoline game card: a game of chance

ABSTRACT

A monetary game of chance for a petroleum product, such as gasoline, includes a game ticket having a face purchase price; and at least two mutually exclusive options for winning. The first option is an award to exercise the face purchase price to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price over a first time period. The second option is an award to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product over a second period of time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/600,317, filed Aug. 9, 2004, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to monetary and/or non-monetary games of chance. More particularly, the present invention relates to monetary and/or non-monetary games of chance which involve or are directed to the volatility of petroleum product, for example gasoline, prices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The public, including consumers or purchasers of retail gasoline, is generally familiar with monetary games of chance, such as state-sponsored lottery games and with non-monetary games of chance, such as board games, for example Monopoly®. Consumers are typically aware of retail gasoline prices, especially in times experiencing drastic increases thereof. Consumer education relating to gasoline retail pricing is generally lacking, and news accounts of gasoline retail pricing often merely focus on price increases and resulting effects to a typical consumer.

Thus, there is a need for educating the consumer about gasoline prices, especially volatility in gasoline pricing. In particular, there is a need to educate the consumer and to allow the consumer to advantageously participate in the retail gasoline pricing volatility, either in a monetary or non-monetary fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a monetary game of chance relating to the purchase or selling of a petroleum product, for example gasoline, is provided. The game includes a game ticket having a face purchase price; and at least two mutually exclusive options for winning, wherein the first option is an award to exercise the face purchase price to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price over a first time period and the second option is an award to purchase a fixed quantity of the petroleum product over a second period of time.

The petroleum product may be selected from typical petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline.

The fixed quantity of gasoline may be based upon the face purchase price of the game and a predetermined conversion into a fixed quantity of gasoline, i.e., a predetermined retail or wholesale cost of gasoline.

The notices for the award options may be printed on the ticket and covered with a removable covering.

The game ticket may also be an electronically readable card including a magnetically readable strip. Alternatively, the game ticket may be an electronic device including a radio frequency identification transponder.

The first period of time may be from about 30 days to about two years. The second period of time may be from about 30 days to about two years. The first period of time may be equal to the second period of time. Alternatively, the first period of time may be different from the second period of time.

In another aspect of the present invention, a board game of petroleum product purchasing is provided. The game board includes at least one game board including a playing path having a plurality of player positions, an area for storing a plurality cards and a plurality of player markers for moving along the playing path by a plurality of players; wherein a first portion of the playing cards have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price, a second portion of the playing cards have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product, and a third portion of the playing cards varies the current retail selling price; wherein a portion of the player positions or a portion of the playing cards requires the player to purchase amounts of the petroleum product; whereby players receive a quantity of playing cash to start the game and proceed in turn about the path by moving the markers along the positions on the path with the winner of the game having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play, where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of the first portion of the cards and face value of the second portion of the playing cards at the current retail selling price.

The petroleum product may be selected from typical petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline.

In another aspect of the present invention, an electronic game of petroleum product purchasing is provided. The electronic game includes at least one visible screen simulating a playing path having a plurality pf player positions, an area for storing a plurality events and at least one player marker for moving along the playing path by a player; wherein a first portion of the playing events have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price, a second portion of the playing events have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of the petroleum product, and a third portion of the playing events varies the current retail selling price; wherein a portion of the player positions or a portion of the playing events requires the player to purchase amounts of petroleum product; whereby a player receives a quantity of playing cash to start the game and proceeds in turn about the path by moving the markers along the positions on the path with the winner of the game having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of the first portion of the playing events and face value of the second portion of the playing events at the current retail selling price.

The petroleum product may be selected from typical petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a gasoline game card according to the present invention having three winning awards.

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a first award for the game card of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a second award for the game card of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a third award for the game card of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a front view of another gasoline game card according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of a back view of the gasoline game card of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a front view of another gasoline game card according to the present invention depicting a transponder within the card.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a gasoline board game according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an electronic gasoline game according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a game for purchasing petroleum products, including, but not limited to, gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline due to the large public demand for gasoline. The game may be a monetary or a non-monetary, i.e., a fictional, game of chance.

For a monetary game of chance, the purchaser of the game may purchase a game card at a predetermined face value. The game desirably has at least two winning options or awards. The at least two awards are desirably mutually exclusive, i.e., the purchaser can win only one award. Alternatively, the purchaser may win a plurality awards and may be able to choose the winning award according to the needs or wishes of the purchaser.

One award may include the right to purchase a monetary amount of petroleum product, for example a fixed dollar amount of gasoline. The monetary amount may be set by the face monetary value of the game. Alternatively, the monetary amount may be higher or lower than the face monetary value of the game. For example, a wholesaler or retailer may offer a sale on petroleum products, such as gasoline, where in the monetary value of the game is greater than the face value of the game to promote the game or to attract new customers. Alternatively, but less desirably, the monetary value of the game may be lower than the face value of the game to cover possible costs or fees associated with the game.

A second award may include the right to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product, for example gasoline, over a period of time. The winner of such an award may exercise the award to effectuate an immediate or near term purchase of the petroleum product. Alternatively, the winner may hold the award for exercising the right to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product until some time in the future to cover future expected product needs or purchases. This may be especially attractive when the winner believes that the retail price for the petroleum product will rise over time. In such a case, the winner will have a windfall as the game awarded the winner the right to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product at a monetary value which is now well below the current retail or wholesale selling price of the petroleum product.

Thus, the advantages to the consumer or purchaser of the monetary petroleum product game is that the game is not only fin and exciting, but also may offer significant monetary rewards, especially in time of price volatility, in particular, in times of rising or increasing wholesale or retail prices. The purchaser of the monetary game will typically feel that the game is a win-win game as the awards are typically based on the monetary value of the game, i.e., ability to purchase a dollar amount of gasoline base on or substantially on the monetary value of the game or are based on the exercisable right to purchase a future quantity of petroleum product, which may become very attractive especially in times of price volatility or price increases.

The monetary game of chance also offers advantages to the seller of the card who is typically a retailer, wholesaler or producer of petroleum products. The seller of the card will have use of the credit associated with the players or purchasers of the monetary game. For example, if players or purchasers of the monetary game do not, on average, exercise the conversion of the awards until some future period of time, for example three months, then the seller of the monetary games can essentially use the money value credit associated with the purchases of the games for that period of time. Additionally, the sellers, especially the oil companies, may leverage petroleum product futures against outstanding future purchases associated with the monetary game. In other words, the oil companies may protect themselves against price variations by using the futures market as a hedge against the future petroleum products credits associated with the monetary game awards.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the monetary petroleum product game according to the present invention. The monetary game card 10 will typically include, but not limited to, a title 12, which may include the particular type of petroleum product, a monetary face value portion 14, game instructions 16, awards 18A, 18B and 18C and a redemption section 20, interrelated as shown. The monetary game card 10 is not unlike a typical state-sponsored instant lottery game card where the player purchases the card and reveals a prize or prizes.

As depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the awards 18A, 18B, 18C may vary and may be revealed or exposed by rubbing off a covering hiding the award at the time of purchase. As depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the awards 18A, 18B, 18C may be for a fixed dollar amount of gasoline, for example $20.00 as depicted in FIG. 2, or for a fixed quantity of gasoline, for example ten gallons of gasoline as depicted in FIGS. 3-4. Further, the award section may also include a time period during with the award should be exercised. The time periods for awards 18A, 18B, 18C may be the same or may be different, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4. The periods may be unlimited, i.e., no expiration date or may have fixed expiration dates. Useful fixed expiration periods include, but are not limited to from about 30 days to about five years, from about 30 days to about four years, from about 30 days to about three years, from about 30 days to about two years, from about 30 days to about one year, up to about 30 days or about one month, up to about 60 days or about two months, up to about 90 days or about three months, up to about six months, and the like. The expiration period, if any, may also be a separate award option or may be included in the individual awards as depicted in FIGS. 2-4.

The title 12 may include the particular type of petroleum product, for example, gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof, and may also indicate that the game is a game of chance. Other consumer instructions, labels or warnings may also be included in the title 12 or at other portions of the card 10. The monetary face value portion 14 will typically note the face purchase price of the card, but other monetary information may be suitably indicated thereat. The game instructions 16 may vary depending upon the particular nuances or variations of the game. As depicted in FIG. 1, the game instructions 16 inform the player to select only one of the hidden or covered awards 18A, 18B or 18C. The redemption section 20 will typically contain redemption information including, but not limited to, redemption locations, validity dates, inclusion or exclusion of federal, state or local taxes, and the like.

As depicted in FIGS. 5-6, a monetary gasoline game card 40 may be in the form of a credit card or a gift card having a front face 42 as depicted in FIG. 5, and a back face 44, as depicted in FIG. 6. The game card desirably includes a plastic body 43. The front face 42 of the game card 40 may include, but is not limited to, a title 12, a monetary face value portion 14, and a redemption section 20, interrelated as shown. The back face 44 of the game card 40 may include a title portion 12, a redemption section 20, a validation period section 46, an authorized signature section 50 and a magnetic strip or magstripe 48, interrelated as shown.

The magnetic strip section 48 contains magnetic particles in a plastic-like film. The magstripe 48 is readable via a magstripe reader (not shown). The magstripe 48 may include the award amount information and account information, for example, amount of remaining award available. The player of the game may purchase the right to the game card 40 at any convenient wholesale or retail establishment. The actual award may be preset on the magstripe 48. Alternatively, the award may selected by another means, such as but not limited to, computer generated, token selection and the like. In all cases the game card 40 is a game of chance because the award may include the right to purchase a set quantity of petroleum product over a set period of time. A retailer or wholesaler may optionally require the signature of the player in the authorized signature section 50.

FIG. 7 depicts a monetary game of chance 60. The game card 60 is similar to the game card 40, except a responder section 62 may be provided in place or in addition to the magstripe 48 of card 40. The responder section 62 may include a small radio frequency identification microchip (not shown) and a wire loop (not shown). The card 60 may be placed in the vicinity of a card terminal (not shown) which emits wave energy, such as radio wavelength frequency energy. When the wire loop enters the terminal's field, voltage is generated to power the microchip whereby the terminal can read and write information to the microchip. Devices utilizing such responder technology include for example, credit cards (called “blink” cards in Europe), toll collection devices (for example E-ZPass® automatic-type toll systems), and gasoline purchase devices (for example Speedpass®).

With a large potential demand for the monetary gasoline game cards 10, 40, 60 of the present invention by the public, the cards 10, 40, 60 may mimic cash where the cards 10, 40, 60 may be exchanged freely among the public and freely exchanged for goods, including but not limited to petroleum products. Thus, the cards 10, 40, 60 may come to represent a secondary form of cash, which may be especially attractive when the cards 10, 40, 60 have the full faith and credit or backing by a major oil company or other large corporation.

In another aspect of the present invention, a non-monetary game of chance for purchasing petroleum products is provided. As depicted in FIG. 8, a non-monetary board game may include a board game of petroleum product purchasing which includes at least one game board 70 having a playing path 72 having a plurality of player positions 74 and an area 76 for storing a plurality of cards 82A, 82B, 82C. A plurality of player markers 78 may be moved along the playing path 72 by a plurality of players. The moves may be set or controlled by any convenient means, for example, but not limited to, the rolling of a pair of dice 80. A first portion of the playing cards, for example cards 82A, may have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price. A second portion of the playing cards, for example cards 82B, may have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product. A third portion of the playing cards, for example cards 82C, may vary the current retail selling price. A portion of the player positions or a portion of the playing cards may require the player to purchase amounts of petroleum product. Initially, the players may receive a quantity of playing cash to start the game and proceed in turn about the path 72 by moving the markers 78 along the positions 74 on the path 72. The winner of the game may be selected as the player having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of the first portion of the cards and face value of the second portion of the playing cards at the current retail selling price. The amount of simulated wealth may further be represented by an additional form of game cash which the player may purchase or sell, i.e., be transferable among player including for the purchase or even selling of petroleum products. Further, one of the players may actually represent a seller of petroleum products. The petroleum product seller need not be a separate player, but may, alternatively or in addition to the separate player, may be incorporated into board game logic and layout. The petroleum product may be selected from typical petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline.

The present invention, however, is not limited to just non-monetary board games for petroleum product purchases, and other types of non-monetary games may suitably be provided within the scope of the present invention. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, a non-monetary electronic game 86 of petroleum product purchasing may be provided. The game 86 includes at least one visible screen 88 simulating a playing path 90 having a plurality of player positions 92 and an area 94 for storing a plurality of events. The game 86 may further include at least one player marker 96 for moving along the playing path 90 by a player. In the course of the game 86, a first portion of the playing events have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price, a second portion of the playing events have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product, and a third portion of the playing events varies the current retail selling price. A portion of the player positions or a portion of the playing events may require the player to purchase amounts of petroleum product. A player may also receive a quantity of playing cash to start the game 86. The game 86 proceeds in turn about the path 90 by moving the markers 96 along the positions 92 on the path 90 with the winner of the game having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of the first portion of the playing events and face value of the second portion of the playing events at the current retail selling price. The game may be played by pushing or otherwise engaging a number of buttons 98. Non-limiting examples of useful buttons 98 include (a) an “on” button to turn the game on, (b) an “off” button to turn the game off, (c) “½” button to select a number of players (1 or 2 players is depicted, but the invention is not so, limited), (d) a “Q” button to select or purchase a quantity of petroleum product, (e) a “E” button to select or change an event effecting the pricing of the petroleum product, (f) a “P” button to select or purchase a petroleum product, (g) a “$” button to select or purchase a monetary amount of a petroleum product, (h) a “go” button to proceed with the game including the next player move, and/or (i) a “M” button to manually move or select options along the path 90. Players and/or game logic may also include a seller or sellers of petroleum products. The petroleum product may be gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof. Desirably, the petroleum product is gasoline.

The invention being thus described, it will now be evident to those skilled in the art that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A monetary game of chance for a petroleum product comprising: a game ticket having a face purchase price; and at least two mutually exclusive options for winning, wherein the first option is an award to exercise the face purchase price to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price over a first time period and the second option is an award to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product over a second period of time.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein the petroleum product is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof.
 3. The game of claim 1, wherein the petroleum product is gasoline.
 4. The game of claim 1, wherein the fixed quantity of petroleum product is based upon the face purchase price and a predetermined conversion into the fixed quantity of the petroleum product.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein notices for the award options are printed on the ticket and covered with a removable covering.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein the game ticket is an electronically readable card comprising a magnetically readable strip.
 7. The game of claim 1, wherein the game ticket is an electronic device comprising a radio frequency identification transponder.
 8. The game of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is from about 30 days to about two years.
 9. The game of claim 1, wherein the second period of time is from about 30 days to about two years.
 10. The game of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is equal to the second period of time.
 11. The game of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is different from the second period of time.
 12. A board game of petroleum product purchasing, comprising: at least one game board comprising a playing path having a plurality pf player positions and an area for storing a plurality cards; and a plurality of player markers for moving along the playing path by a plurality of players; wherein a first portion of said playing cards have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price, a second portion of said playing cards have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product, and a third portion of said playing cards varies said current retail selling price; wherein a portion of said player positions or a portion of said playing cards requires said player to purchase amounts of petroleum product; whereby players receive a quantity of playing cash to start the game and proceed in turn about said path by moving said markers along said positions on said path with the winner of the game having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of said first portion of said cards and face value of said second portion of said playing cards at said current retail selling price.
 13. The game of claim 12, wherein the petroleum product is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof.
 14. The game of claim 12, wherein the petroleum product is gasoline.
 15. An electronic game of petroleum product purchasing, comprising: at least one visible screen simulating a playing path having a plurality pf player positions and an area for storing a plurality events; and at least one player marker for moving along the playing path by a player; wherein a first portion of said playing events have a face monetary value to exercise the face monetary value to purchase a petroleum product at a current retail selling price, a second portion of said playing events have a face value to purchase a fixed quantity of petroleum product, and a third portion of said playing events varies said current retail selling price; wherein a portion of said player positions or a portion of said playing events requires said player to purchase amounts of petroleum product; whereby a player receives a quantity of playing cash to start the game and proceeds in turn about said path by moving said markers along said positions on said path with the winner of the game having a largest amount of simulated wealth after a predetermined period of play where the amount of simulated wealth is based on accumulated playing cash, face monetary value of said first portion of said playing events and face value of said second portion of said playing events at said current retail selling price.
 16. The game of claim 15, wherein the petroleum product is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, marine fuel or combinations thereof.
 17. The game of claim 15, wherein the petroleum product is gasoline. 